The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-03
.COMHERCE COMMISSION.
JUDGE COOLEY OPENS THE PRO.
CEEDINGS In NEW ORLEANS.
A Large Number Of Petitions Heard
For and Against the En-
forcement OF Section 4.

NEW ORLEANS, May 2.-The Inter
state Commission met here today. |
Judge Cooley In opening the proceed
iDgs raid: at may be well TO say at
the outset that the scope OF our au'
thority In the premises is very much
limited and that we do not purpose |
to 90 beyond 1t. Oar Investigations |
are under the act, but they are not
for any purpose OF quettioning the
propriety, justice or expediency OF that
legislation. On the other hand, all
that has been settled for
us, and we are here simply
for the purpose OF determining
the question whether, in pursuance OF
that legislation, We shall, in certain
specified cases which have been
brought to our attention make excep.
tiopal orders which shall give relief
in tn zee caes from the ordinary oper-
atoms OF the law. That ia all we pro-
pose to do, and all we have authority
to do"
The commission then heard large
number OF petitions for and against
the enforcement OF section A OF the
law. TT citizens of Shreveport, La,
presented a petition saying that II the
fourth lection were enforced against
the Texas Pacific railroad, The business
OF the city would be destroyed.
w. w. Finlay, general freight
agent OF the Texas and Pacific, cor
federated this statement OF the petit
tioners, saying that the city depends
almost entirely ON distant cities for ito
supply also that competition bstween
.he steamboat lines OF the Red river
and the railroad had been very sharp,
causing the railroad to reduce rates.
James Crandall, a merchant OF
Shreveport, said: previous to the
passage of the interstate commerce
bill Shreveport was getting cheaper
rates to Kansas City, st. Louis and
other points in Kansas and Missouri,
but since Its passage rates have adj
vanced 100 per cent"
l. Hardy, assistant general freight
agent OF the Queen and Crescent line,
stated that Immediately on the pass
age Of the bill the rates of the Anchor
Line between st. Louis and New Or
leans had been advanced 100 per
cent, and between st. Louis and
Vicksbprg 80 per cent, and that on
the suspension OF section for short
time the rates had Immediately been
lowered.
Gov. l.. A. Sheldon, Of the Texas
and Pacific road, stated that some
time ago he had written a request for
the suspension OF section 4, and had
received document signed by Com
missioner Walker, saying that 1t
would be taken up here. In connec-
ton with this Mr.. Finlay was sgain
nut on the stand. He named the con-
nectiops OF New Orleans by both river
and railroad with Missouri points, and
said that in making connections with
those points and New Orleans, the
Texas and Pacific passed through
Louieians, Texas, Iodisn Territory
Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa
and Missouri, and tina; in psseir s
through these states large business
ia done in both going and returning
especially in Texas. This closed thu
case OF that road.
Frederick Knowlsnd, Of New York
General Eastern agent Of the UnioI
Pa SIC road, presented II petition O
that road for suspension OF section a
already sent In these dispatches
The pete,ion was granted in the sam
form as anted to the other trane
continental lines. A committee OF tn
Oilton Exchange submitted a pspe
: ealing tention to discrimination b,
the Louisville, New Orleans and II xs
railroad against New Orleansin favor 9
! Memphis. TIE company charges ~ 2
! per bale on cotton from Shaws Station
! which is 124 miles this side OF Mem
, phis, but brings cotton from Memphi
to New Orleans for IS cents per bal
ON through cotton and 81 per bal
from Memphis to New Orleans as tn
terminal point. The petitioners cor
: slider that this is contrary to the II
tent and purposes OF the interstat
commerce act,
r. L. Sanders, of the Jackson, Wick
burg and Meridian railroad, read
= paper favoring the suspension OF Ii
I fourth section. A protest against th
y suspension of the law, drawn u
Q In conformity with resolutio
y adopted at a meeting on Friday la
!, of sugar planters and State agrlcultur
societies, WAS presented. O. W. Gibso
o fled a petition from the Board OF Trad
OF Aberdeen, Miss, asking for q su
d pension OF section over the Illino
d Central from Aberdeen to New o
. leans, Judge Fentress, general solic
u tor for the Illinois Central, said TIL
]. road was not yet prepared to preseI
u it's case, but would do so later, pro-
o ably at the Memphis session or
o Washington. The Southern Pacifi
y the Louisville and Nashville, the Mi
L sissippi Valley and other roads wi
9, also present their cases later.
~ The San Antonio and Arkans
% Pass road asked for suspension
e favor of that road. The New OFleaI
IL Chamber of Commerce, Produce E.
l. change, Sugar Exchange, Merchant
n and Manufacturer Association, al
10 the Mechanics, Dealers and Lumbe
70 mems Exchange presented petition
y calling fur an enforcement Of the la'
le and testimony was given in support
O. the request. The steamboat interef
were then heard.
O. The commission then adjourned
1T meet in Memphis on Wednesday.
h. TINTnN nEpOT ATT LAS